Discovering Quaint Modena Italy

The first time I visited Italy was long before I had this site and I went for a few days alone just to eat. I just walked around and ate and then walked some more and ate. I didn’t go into any museums because what I wanted to see was in the streets and restaurants. I also didn’t feel rushed to see anything because I knew I would return. And I have.

This is my fourth time.

I’ve arrived in Modena to shoot some videos and discover the food of this little city. While it’s famous for its balsamic vinegar and being the home to Enzo Ferrari and Luciano Pavarotti, it really rests in the shadows of neighboring Bologna and Parma.

In fact, in less than 24 hours people are offering up suggestions that I should spend a day in another city but that’s not how I roll. I came to Modena to see what it’s all about and I’m not leaving – well at least not for a week. Until then, I plan to spend the days eating and walking, eating and walking and then eating and walking some more.

Immediately I noticed there weren’t many cars around, the historic district is a vehicle restricted area so only locals, tourists and some local operators can drive their car in – the remainder use bicycles to get around.

There doesn’t seem to be a tourist area or restaurants I need to avoid because they are solely for tourist. The city isn’t large and so restaurants are for everyone. The market is for everyone. The bars are for everyone.

This is my kind of city.

And what makes Italy so amazing is that from North to South, or even city to city, food can be completely different. Each place has its own dish, its own pasta, its own bread. This is the home of parmigiano reggiano so I’m not going to find burrata here. And I can’t wait to see what else I will find that belongs to Modena Italy- the food that represents this city and the people who make it.

Comments

I cannot wait to spend time in Modena in October. I will be following hot on your heels, you know, walking ,eating, walking, eating, walking some more, and eating some more. I am so excited to see a less touristy side of Italy!

I can’t wait to spend some time eating my way through Italy! Loved all your pictures and I’m pinning this to my travel board – I need all the help I can get to plan a trip there (so much to do and eat)!Kari Peters recently posted…Banh Mi Salad Bowls with Sriracha Lime Aioli

The food looks absolutely divine! You’re definitely making me wanna visit… as always. I think the Balsamic vinegar I use is from Modena, so I am at least going to take a little trip to my pantry… 😛Sabina @GirlvsGlobe recently posted…The Perils of Being A Pretty Girl

Lovely photos, Ayngelina! I really like your travel philosophy of staying put and eating your way around Modena. Is there any better way to experience Italy than slowly and with your taste buds?Ryan O’Rourke recently posted…11 Travel Planning Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making

I just LOVE Modena, and this part of Italy in general. The food is to die for and the locals are so damn friendly. I’m not surprised it’s your fourth time. I could return again and again as well.Kristin Addis recently posted…So You Want to Be a Travel Blogger? Master Social Media

This town looks absolutely perfect. I love places that don’t have a huge tourist industry, so the place really is for everyone, versus the spots which are designed specifically to draw in the tourist dollars. Next time I am in Italy, will have to check this out!Diana Edelman recently posted…In Earth’s belly: the Škocjan Cave

Ohhhhh this brings back memories! My mouth is watering just reading your post. You’ve got the right idea, too, eating and walking and eating and walking. Envying you right now!Angie Away recently posted…Why I Loved Petra by Night

The regional food thing can be a blessing and a curse when you live there. Try finding decent foreign food in even a major city like Milan, when the locals think food from the other side of Lombardy is foreign enough and peanut butter is in the ‘cibo etnico’ section!

I’m crazy about Italy and have been since I first stepped foot there 24 years ago, but there are still so many places there for me to discover. Can’t wait.Jenna recently posted…6 Favorite Wines for Summer

The best times we had on our recent three-week trip to Italy were discovering the tiny little towns off-the-tourist path that we found by complete chance. Sounds like we need to add Modena next time we’re back!Camels & Chocolate recently posted…Photo Friday: Ponza, Italy

I love hearing that there is no tourist area and that everyone eats at the same restaurants. That was my pet hate travelling through Italy….we had to get off the tourist track every time we wanted to eat to ensure we ate authentically (and cheaply!)Martine @ Chompchomp recently posted…Launch party to celebrate Australia’s first Humane Food Region

My husband and I were in Modena and our hotel suggested we eat at Trattoria l’Antica Grama. It was a nicely decorated restaurant in a strip center that the locals visit. While they could not speak English, they were very inviting and you can figure out the menu. Our main courses were great. We also ordered the parmesean risotto which was excellent. The wine was inexpensive. It was a great time!

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Professional Chef Meets Professional Eater

She was eating away around the world when she walked into his
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